The Style Glossy: Hair Studio

Put an End to Split Ends

By Felicity Loughrey for The Style Glossy

Trichoptilosis, better known as split ends, happens when a hair strand splits or branches from the main shaft. Split ends are caused by excessive heat, brushing hair when wet, chemicals from hair dyes and swimming in chlorine. Here are some simple things you can do to end split ends and prevent them happening in the first place.

Get Frequent Trims
The most definitive, put-an-end-to-split-ends treatment is to lop your locks. “Get regular haircuts,” says Ali Holmes, of Sydney’s Wild Life Hair, who has worked backstage for designers Toni Maticevski, Mad Cortes and Marnie Skillings. If you’re happy with your length, go for a cut every six weeks. If you’re growing out your tresses, aim for a trim every eight to 10 weeks. If you spot a stray split end, it can also be cured by snipping it yourself above the damage.

Be Cautious With Chemical
“Over-colouring the ends can split them. It’s ok to do your roots regularly, but make sure your hairdresser never overlaps the colour [on the ends],” says Holmes. As for chlorine damage, always rinse and shampoo your hair after a dip in the pool.

Conditioning Treatments
Hot heat is another culprit of split ends. You can protect your hair and prevent damage by using a restorative conditioning treatment that contains ingredients to protect and revitalise the damaged cuticle of the hair.

Protein Punch
Not quite the same as a deep conditioning treatment (that adds moisture); a protein therapy treatment will restore, condition and revive hair. You see, hair is mostly made of protein, so whenever strands are chemically treated or sun damaged, protein is lost. A hair protein treatment can be done at home. Leave the treatment in for at least five minutes, rinse then condition. Try this every other day for a couple of weeks for shiny, healthy results.

Brush Gently
“Brushing hair with a good brush before washing or before bed is great as this will help smooth hair and take away any dry, loose ends,” says Jon Pulitano creative director of Sydney’s Headcase Hair (and he’s also Audrina Partridge of The Hills personal hair stylist, when she’s in town). Pulitano recommends a Mason Pearson brush from the original 1885 design with a cushion pad and bristles in nylon and boar hair. After a shower, don’t rub your hair with a towel; gently squeeze excess water and use a wide-toothed comb.

Switch Your Style
Mix it up a bit. “Don’t always wear your hair in a ponytail in the same position,” says Holmes. “It can cause breakage. Sometimes wear a high ponytail, sometimes low.” You can also part your hair on a different side, try a French plait or low-slung piggy tails. Vary your hair accessories too, particularly anything with a metal clasp or clips.

Eat This
A great way to prevent split ends is with a healthy, balanced diet. Try salmon, flaxseed, spinach, broccoli and lentils for strong hair. Always get your vitamins and protein, and avoid crash diets or low-calorie diets. Eat well and your hair will thank you.

How obsessed are you with split ends?

Felicity Loughrey is the managing editor of The Style Glossy, Australia. She writes for Vogue Australia, Vogue Living and GQ.